Welcome to Access Canada Summit powered by The Hollywood Reporter!

As Murdoch Mysteries launches its 20th season, Access Canada Summit kicks off with Shaftesbury’s Christina Jennings as she sits down with The Hollywood Reporter’s Deputy Editorial Director, Jeanie Pyun to explore what it takes to build a Canadian series with extraordinary staying power—and an impact that reaches far beyond the screen. Over two decades, Murdoch Mysteries has contributed more than $1 billion to the Canadian economy, created more than 10,000 jobs, and grown into a global phenomenon reaching more than 120 markets worldwide. Jennings will reflect on what a long-running success like Murdoch Mysteries makes possible for Canada’s screen industry: sustaining careers and creative talent, generating significant economic activity, and demonstrating the cultural and commercial value of investing in Canadian IP for the long term.

At Access Canada Summit this year, the Canada Media Fund will proudly share its Indigenous Action Plan: a clear framework of actions and commitments to guide how the CMF funds, partners with, and supports Indigenous creators, producers, and companies across Canada’s audiovisual industry. Valerie Creighton, the CMF’s President and CEO, will sit down with Indigenous leaders to unveil how the CMF is mobilizing its Indigenous Action Plan through concrete steps that will shape future allyship and engagement with Indigenous communities.

Few Canadian series have broken through with the speed, scale, and cultural impact of Heated Rivalry. Following an extraordinary year for the series—exactly one year since it was first featured on the Access Canada Summit main stage—Accent Aigu Entertainment’s CEO and Executive Producer, Brendan Brady, sits down with The Hollywood Reporter for a candid conversation about what happens when a distinctly Canadian story captures the attention of audiences far outside its borders. Reflecting on the journey behind Heated Rivalry and the decisions and partnerships that propelled its momentum, Brady will also explore the bigger opportunity its success represents: what it says about the global appetite for Canadian stories, the value of backing ambitious homegrown IP, and what becomes possible for Canadian producers and storytellers when a show truly breaks through.

Over the past year, Netflix Canada’s Content team has been delivering local stories with global impact. In this conversation, lead commissioners Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury share how the ambitious Canadian shows at Netflix are gaining traction and fandom worldwide, what they’ve learned from breakout hits, and how these lessons are shaping the next chapter of Netflix in Canada. From evolving content priorities and development strategy to a growing content team, this must-hear conversation will explore how Netflix is building on its momentum.

Join us as we recognize The Canada 25: Top Decision and Dealmakers as selected by The Hollywood Reporter.

All delegates are invited to kick off THR’s Access Canada Summit with colleagues and friends at the Paramount+ Opening Reception.

The rise of vertical storytelling is creating one of the industry’s fastest-growing opportunities. As audiences embrace mobile-first entertainment, studios, platforms, and technology companies are making significant investments in vertical programming. This is opening the door to new financing models, distribution opportunities, and innovative approaches to storytelling. More than just a new format, vertical content is democratizing content creation by lowering barriers to entry, reducing production costs, and reaching global audiences faster than ever before. Join industry leaders at the forefront of this rapidly evolving genre as they explore what buyers and platforms are looking for, and how producers can position themselves to capitalize on one of the most exciting growth areas in global entertainment.

Canada’s next great stories begin with collaboration. As producers look for new ways to finance ambitious projects and expand their reach, IntraCanada co-productions are creating exciting opportunities to access funding, build strategic partnerships, and connect with new audiences. Join leaders from across Canada for a practical conversation on navigating IntraCanada partnerships, leveraging regional incentives, and unlocking new opportunities to develop and produce projects with national and global potential.

AI is moving from experiment to everyday tool—reshaping how ideas are developed, visualized, pitched and ultimately produced. The question for producers is no longer whether these technologies will affect their business, but how well they can understand them to make smart decisions about where they apply. Coco Mao, CEO of OpenArt AI, sits down for a forward-looking and accessible conversation with The Hollywood Reporter about the next generation of creative AI tools and what they could mean for producers and storytellers. From accelerating development and creating more compelling pitches and visual materials to finding efficiencies throughout the production process, Mao will explore what these technologies can do today, where they are headed next, and how quickly the landscape is changing. Just as importantly, the conversation will tackle what producers need to know before they jump in: where human creativity remains essential, how to approach new tools thoughtfully, and why understanding the technology is becoming a critical part of running a modern media company.

The rules of content financing are evolving. As the industry changes, producers are increasingly looking beyond conventional broadcasters, studios, and public funding to finance their next projects. From private equity and investment funds to brand partnerships, strategic investors, and emerging financing models, new sources of capital are transforming how content gets made. In this forward-looking session, join leaders from across the investment, finance, brand, and entertainment sectors as they discuss the innovative partnerships and funding strategies reshaping the industry. Learn where new opportunities are emerging and how producers can diversify their financing approach.

Join us for a forward‑looking conversation about the future of queer storytelling at a time when visibility on screen is facing renewed cultural pressures. As public discourse shifts and space for queer narratives becomes more contested, the work of developing, financing, and sustaining these stories requires new strategies and a deeper sense of responsibility across the industry. This session brings together established leaders from production, advocacy, and industry strategy to explore how queer stories are shaped, supported, and protected. Together, they examine the structural forces influencing which narratives reach audiences, and the creative and strategic choices needed to ensure queer voices remain present, visible, and thriving on screen.

The global content business is being reshaped at an unprecedented pace. As audience behaviours evolve, new technologies emerge, business models transform, and competition for viewers intensifies, producers must rethink how they develop, finance, produce, and distribute content in an increasingly interconnected marketplace. Join senior executives from across the global screen industry as they explore some of the trends defining the future of entertainment. From international partnerships and distribution to evolving commissioning strategies and emerging business opportunities, this conversation will provide valuable insights into the forces shaping the future of the industry—and what producers need to know to stay competitive.

International collaboration has become an increasingly powerful part of the producer’s toolkit—but there is no single roadmap for making it work. Does the story and script naturally dictate that a project should become an international co-production, or can producers strategically seek out co-production opportunities and then identify the right IP to fit? And how early should those decisions be made? Join industry experts as they share how they identify the international potential in their projects and turn that into creative and commercial opportunities. Through real-world examples, the conversation will explore treaty co-productions, international production partnerships and financing, incentives and jurisdictional advantages, as well as examining service production versus creating and retaining ownership in original IP.

As AI continues to evolve, companies and creators across the entertainment industry are exploring what these new technologies could mean for the way they work, create and do business. This session brings together perspectives from across different sectors of the industry to discuss the evolving AI landscape, the opportunities and considerations that come with adopting new tools, and how companies can integrate AI in a thoughtful and informed way.

Representing global companies, these dealmakers drive strategy across development, production, financing, distribution, and partnerships. This candid conversation with top executives will explore what studios are looking for now, how they are navigating a changing marketplace, and where opportunities are emerging for producers seeking to build projects with global reach. From IP and co-productions to talent, financing models, and audience demand, this session offers essential insight into how studios are evaluating projects today.

All delegates are invited to the end-of-day cocktail reception. Join colleagues and friends to discuss the topics of the day and make important new connections.

As part of Access Canada Summit’s Dealmakers Series, hear directly from executives shaping the content strategies of leading media organizations as they discuss what drives their decisions, how their priorities are evolving, and where they see the greatest opportunities for producers. From acquisitions and original commissions to audience trends, partnership models, and the role of premium storytelling, this conversation offers a valuable opportunity to hear how decision-makers evaluate projects and where demand is growing. Designed for producers looking to stay ahead of the curve, this session provides practical insights into the strategic thinking shaping tomorrow’s content marketplace—and how to build projects that align with the evolving needs of buyers.

Before audiences around the world discover YAGA, hear the story behind one of Canada’s most anticipated new premium drama series. YAGA has already captured the attention of international buyers, demonstrating the growing global appetite for bold Canadian storytelling. Presented by Blink49 Studios, join the team behind YAGA for an exclusive conversation exploring the creation of a premium television series. From adapting an acclaimed stage play and developing the original creative vision to commissioning, production, international sales, and global distribution—discover how a Canadian series is built for audiences around the world. Offering valuable insights into today’s content marketplace, learn about the creative partnerships and business decisions that are helping original Canadian stories reach global audiences.

As the global content business becomes increasingly interlinked, Canada has emerged as one of the industry’s most important creative hubs. Fremantle has built a thriving Canadian business, playing a pivotal role in connecting local creativity with global opportunity by bringing international formats into the region while introducing new audiences to Canadian content. In this exclusive conversation, join Michela Di Mondo, EVP Distribution and Sales for Fremantle Canada and leading executives from across the media industry for a candid discussion on what it takes to build successful content partnerships. Together, they’ll unpack this process, from developing original concepts and adapting global formats, to identifying stories with international potential. This conversation offers the audience valuable insight into the creative, strategic, and business relationships driving today’s global television industry.

The screen industry is entering a new era of entertainment. Top creators and actors are taking control of their own IP, bypassing traditional greenlights, and bringing premium narrative storytelling straight to YouTube to capture global audiences. Moderated by The Hollywood Reporter, this session brings together Head of YouTube Canada Nicole Bell with acclaimed Canadian stars Julie Nolke and Nicole Power (Kim’s Convenience) for a conversation and an exclusive live project announcement. Discover why leading talent is choosing digital platforms for creative freedom, direct-to-audience scale, and long-term ownership—and what this creator-led shift means for the future of Canadian entertainment.

Post-production is an integral part of keeping projects on time, on budget, and full of impact. New technologies, evolving workflows and AI-powered tools are creating opportunities to work smarter, faster and more efficiently—without compromising creative ambition. This forward-looking conversation brings together leaders from across different components of post-production to explore how to take advantage of today’s tools and expertise, refine traditional workflows, manage costs, and maximize resources. In an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing global marketplace, discover why bringing post into the conversation earlier—and embracing new ways of working—can give producers a critical edge.

Session information coming soon!

In an increasingly competitive and fragmented marketplace, distributors play a critical role in connecting great content with audiences around the world. Join leading international distribution executives as they share their perspectives on the global content business, including what buyers are looking for, which genres and formats are travelling, and how producers can maximize the value and reach of their IP. From financing and windowing strategies to international sales, co-production opportunities, and emerging markets, this session will provide producers with practical insights into how distributors evaluate projects and what it takes to succeed on the global stage.

As audiences fragment, new opportunities are emerging for producers, creators, and rights holders. Join Tubi’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director of International, David Salmon, as he explores how fandom-driven viewing, personalization, and ad-supported streaming are reshaping the streaming playbook—and what producers need to know to position projects for success in a more open and accessible marketplace.

Canada’s screen industry stands at a pivotal moment. As audience habits evolve, technology reshapes the business, and global competition intensifies, the opportunities for Canadian stories have never been greater. In this exclusive conversation, Sean Cohan, President of Bell Media joins Maer Roshan, Editor-in-Chief of The Hollywood Reporter, for a main stage interview that will range from premium original programming and strategic partnerships to innovation, digital transformation, and Canada’s growing role on the global content stage. Hear firsthand how one of the country’s most exciting media companies is navigating, and leading, an industry in transition. Together, they’ll explore the evolving content ecosystem, the importance of investing in Canadian storytelling, and the opportunities that lie ahead for independent Canadian producers.

For 25 seasons, Etalk has evolved alongside the entertainment industry itself, adapting to changing audiences, platforms, and cultural conversations while continuing to connect Canadians with the people and stories shaping culture. This special marquee session brings together Etalk hosts and producers for a conversation about how entertainment brands stay relevant in an era shaped by streaming, social platforms, creators, and real-time cultural conversations. Together, they’ll explore what viewers expect from entertainment coverage, and how established brands can evolve without losing what makes them distinct. Much more than a retrospective, this conversation will look ahead to the future of entertainment journalism, celebrity culture, and Canadian storytelling. At a time when homegrown talent is making an unprecedented impact globally, Etalk remains an essential platform for celebrating the people, projects, and cultural moments that define Canada’s screen industry.

Toast the end of this year’s THR’s Access Canada Summit at the Bell Media Closing Cocktail Reception! All delegates are invited for food, drinks, and fun!